Vol 3: Chapter 25

We were told that Polina-san was not really a steady member of the Golden Brigade. Not to mention the fact that it hasnt been long since she joined the party, she is also from a race that is rarely seen outside the Elven Forest, and her beauty was also quite exceptional.

She knew well that she shouldnt expose her own appearance she had many experiences of almost being kidnapped so she always hides her face with a hood, it seems.

Her Highness Anastasia.

In front of Muge-sans company, she called out Anastasia-sama and knelt. And Her Highness had a sad look when she saw Polina-san, so there is no doubt that they knew each other in advance.

I was occupied with how to save Lulusha-san and didnt care to look more into it.

Highness? Who is that?

Her Highness Anastasia. An Elf royalty who is staying in this country.

Leon stared in wonder at Dante-sans response.

So, what? Golden Brigade was just a stepping stone for Polina to meet this Highness Ana? Thats a flimsy reason to betray someone.

I dont know the details, but maybe she thought it wouldnt be possible to meet Her Highness Anastasia otherwise?Dante-san said.

Hmm

Knowing Leon, I bet he made a pass at Polina-san. Thats why she betrayed him.Mimino-san said.

Dumb, shorty halfling! It wasnt me! It was the shield-bearer who Nevermind, it doesnt matter. Anyway, does that mean Polina made it back to the city safely?

Not safely, she didnt. She was on the verge of death.

Are you serious?!

Leon was surprised at Mimino-sans words again. This man seems to overreact to every single thing.

I wonder if Muge-san is all right?Non-san said, softly.

If Polina-sans purpose is Her Highness Anastasia, then Muge-san should be okay. I mean, Muge-san shouldnt need anything from Polina-san, and there is no reason for her to harm Muge-san at all. However, we should still aim to return early.

Youre right.Dante-san nodded in agreement to my words.

We have two choices: go forward or go back. If we choose to go forward, there is the question of which face to choose, front or right.

Worldly Goods, of course!

The treasure room!

Zerry-san and Leon raised their hands almost at the same time. Umm, excuse me, Mr. Leon? Arent you too excited to follow along with us?

Hoho, Dante. So you do have a reasonable guy in your party.

While hitting Zerry-sans shoulder, Leon slowly froze in place.

Ahhhhhhh! You! The cat-beastman who cheated and stole my money in gambling!

Huh? I never cheat in gambling Thats just the barking of a loser.

You bastard!

Nyahahaha!

Oh right, something like that happened right before we entered the Empire, didnt it?

When Leon reached out to catch Zerry-san, she nimbly leapt away from him. Leon, who is still staggering, obviously wont be able to catch Zerry-san.

Thats enough, Leon. And you too, Zerry. Stop poking fun. Your opinions will not be taken into consideration this time.

Hey, Dante!

No!

How about the option to go back?

Dante-san ignored the two and asked towards us.

I dont know what Polina is thinking, but its unlikely that Muge-san is in danger, so Id like to continue on.I said.

I am fine with that.

Yes, me too.

Mimino-san and Non-san agreed.

Then, the next path to open is

We decided to challenge the Truth path on the right.

**

Leaving behind Leon wouldnt sit right with our conscience, so we decided to take him with us. He would cooperate in battles, but was told that we wouldnt share any loot foundto which he responded loudly with repeated Boo!. Dante-san said, Then you can go back on your own, but Leon persisted, saying Then pay me money accordingly for my work! And also help me find my party members!

Even if the negotiations were prolonged, it would just be a waste of time, so the conditions were: cooperate in battle, if you find your party, join them, and reward if you do your best.

If he complains later that the rewards arent enough, I wont be so forgiving, okay? Ill instigate Zerry-san to pluck all his hair, even his butt hair.

I will touch it now.

I stood in front of the face on the right, which hadThose Who Seek Truth With Fearengraved on the upper lip.

Dante-san and Zerry-san were on guard as before, but Leon just stood with his arms folded.

He carried a longsword; a thin blade that was as tall as I was. It seems that he didnt let go of his weapon even when he fell into the pitfall.

I reached out and touched the lower lip, and jumped back.

The other face let out a laughter, but this time the lips curved up as if smiling, and the eyelids opened. A creepy face, as usual.

Then the face slid up the wall, revealing a passage.

There doesnt seem to be a dead end.

Unlike the passage with a dead-end earlier, this passage continued on.

To think I was trapped in that darknessLeon said softly.

After falling into the pitfall, Leon was chased by an automaton to this room and desperately touched the face on the left, it seems. And he barely escaped with his life by leaping into the darkness. Still, it seems to have stopped the automatons pursuit.

Anyway, we decided to move on.

The long passage curved into a gentle uphill

Bocchan.

I noticed. The air has changed.

It felt as if the cool air so farit felt cool even though it was summer because it was undergroundhad its moisture drained. Also, the wall seemed strange. It has changed from the concrete-like terrain to a hollowed out rocky terrain. At the same time, the luminance from the wall, which is a characteristic of a dungeon, disappeared, and we had to move through the darkness with only the light from the magic lamp.

Wind blew from the other side. Wind that feels hotthe outside air? Is it leading outside?

Wow

The place looked like a natural plateau made by hollowing out rocks. The ceiling was low and there was a passage leading out the other side, but there was a cliff to the right.

A faint light shone from the sky. Dust particles could be seen floating in the light.

What is this place

A large space. You cant see under or beyond the cliff. Just a silent cavern.

(Come to think of it Wasnt there a place like this in the Sixth Mine, too?)

At that time, when I looked under the cliff, I saw adventurers fighting. They were using flashy magic. And I thought it had nothing to do with me back then.

Someone has come to welcome us, it seems.

I didnt notice until Leon called out. They were sticking to the wall on the plateau side as if camouflaging themselves.

Black skin with a body length of about 2 meters. Reminiscent of a Japanese giant salamander.

Whats with that face?Mimino-san asked.

There was no face on the face. Only feelers of about 3 cm were moving.

Its movement seemed sluggish, but the problem is their number.

Im guessing about 100?

Bocchan. Theyre also on the cliff.

Eh?

The feeler geckos crawled up from under the cliff.

We looked at each other and

Run to the other side!

At Dante-sans command, we started running toward the entrance of the passage on the other side.

At the same time, the feeler geckos jumped in all at once.